Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Sun Dried Tomato Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish combining savory Italian sausage, tangy sun dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy sauce tossed with penne pasta. Enhanced with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, it’s a comforting Italian-American main course perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Protein and Fat
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Aromatics and Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil for garnish
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add Sun Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 1 minute to release their flavor.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to infuse flavor.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked pasta and chopped fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together until the spinach wilts and the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top as a garnish. Serve the pasta warm for a creamy and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- This pasta pairs excellently with garlic bread or a simple green salad.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
